Recorded live in Paris at an event celebrating the 90th birthday of legendary French cabaret and burlesque entertainer Camille Dubois. The audience consisted mainly of people from the poor districts of Paris where Camille had devoted her final years to helping them overcome some of the most appalling living conditions and social problems. At the end of the concert, Steve invited Camille on stage to perform a duet with him. Although now very frail, she had lost none of her charisma and the audience were in raptures.
Camille Dubois was a star of the European underground cabaret scene for many years. Her performances were beautiful but daring and, consequently, very shocking to the conservative, buttoned-up generation of her day. She had an incredible rags-to-riches life story. Abandoned as a small child in the 1920's, she managed to survive a life on the streets in the bohemian quarters of Paris to become a hugely popular cabaret performer, albeit in the type of establishments that her elite, high society admirers would never admit to frequenting.
Her career was cut short by the German occupation of France during the Second World War. Rather than taking the easy choice that some entertainers took of collaborating and being allowed to continue their work, she became a major figure in the French Resistance until she was eventually arrested, tortured, raped and imprisoned. She was freed after the Liberation of Paris in August 1944. She was still only 20 years old.
After the war, she continued her risque cabaret career and became the toast of the nightclubs in the red-light districts of the major cities of Europe. Contrary to the meaning of her name (virgin of unblemished character), Camille had many lovers and broke many hearts. Perhaps because of her troubled start in life, she trusted no one and never married or had any long-lasting or meaningful relationships. She is often quoted as saying, "I was born without love, so I have none to give".
After being forced to retire through ill-health, she drifted into total obscurity and dedicated her time to helping the poor in the slums of Paris where she found little had changed. She'd now traveled full circle and her extraordinary life ended where it had so humbly began. However, it's clear from her charity work that Camille had love in abundance and gave it to those she felt needed it the most.
lyrics
Certain people just have what it takes
Certain people don't make bad mistakes
And even if they're not quite what they seem
They pretend and follow their dream
I was never a confident guy
I was always too quiet and shy
Stood and watched as the world passed me by
But it's strange how you can change
You're the reason I do what I do
The only reason I live is for you
I don't know where it's leading us to
But we're certain people, we'll make it through
You're the reason I am what I am
And what the world thinks, I don't give a damn
If you love me the way I love you
Then we're certain people, we'll make it through
Used to think there was no one for me
All alone and that's how it would be
Then I found you, now I'm not afraid
Can't believe the difference you've made
You're the reason I do what I do
The only reason I live is for you
I don't know where it's leading us to
But we're certain people, we'll make it through
You're the reason I am what I am
And what the world thinks, I don't give a damn
If you love me the way I love you
Then we're certain people, we'll make it through
We are an indie rock band who compose original songs that have a story to tell. Our music is heavy with strong melody lines
and close vocal harmonies. Stories of circumstances and events that may have also touched your life and we hope will have a special meaning for you....more
